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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 73

From the Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, May 15, 1894

From the Otago Daily Times, Tuesday, May 15, 1894

Mr. J. C. Blackmore, the Government pomologist, returned to Dunedin las[unclear: t] from a tour of inspection of the orchards of Central Otago, and with the object obtaining some information from him with reference to his tour and relativ[unclear: e] fruitgrowing industry generally, a member of our reporting staff waited upo[unclear: n] yesterday. Mr. Blackmore was very willing to give all the information he coul[unclear: d] referring, in the first place, to the favourable climate of Central Otago for [unclear: suc] fruitgrowing, he said: "The chief characteristics of climate requisite for th[unclear: e] vation of the apricot, peach, prune plum, and grape is freedom from extreme[unclear: s], in connection with the fitness of soil and water for irrigation,

The Three Great Advantages of the Central Otago Districts

for fruitgrowing are abundant heat, continuous sunshine, and dry air. Agai[unclear: n], sunshine, dry air. and an almost rainless summer minister directly to the [unclear: car] fruit in the open air. From inquiries made from old residents I find tha[unclear: t] characteristics of climate do not exist to an excessive degree in Central Otago. [unclear: is] an important consideration, as an excessively low percentage of [unclear: atmos] humidity, especially if connected with a desiccating wind, would not be [unclear: propiti] fruit culture, as it would produce more evaporation from the leaves than the [unclear: ro] the tree can supply. Again, an excessively dry air admits of a parching su[unclear: n] one time, and at another facilitates radiation of heat until a rapid decline in [unclear: tem] ture makes killing frosts frequent. The chief characteristics, however, of the [unclear: in] valley climate of Central Otago are a

Higher Summer and a Lower Winter Temperature

than on the coast. Of course there will be local modifications of climate [unclear: gove] local conditions, and there will be found special situations and localities more [unclear: fa] able for fruit culture than others. For instance, in all interior valleys the [unclear: el] adjoining the foot-hills of the mountain ranges is considerably modified b[unclear: y] disposition of cold air to settle in low places, while the air rises along the [unclear: adj] hillsides and is a preventive of frost by its constant motion on the slop[unclear: e] situations would ensure

Early Maturity, Great Growth, and an Abundant Fruitage;

And would be specially suitable for the cultivation of the grape, peach, [unclear: apri] prune plum. I think similar conditions will be found as are noticed in fruitgrowing countries—that is, variations of temperature conditions with[unclear: in] page 7 limits, and varieties must be chosen with reference to adaptation to local environments. The fitness or unfitness of a region for the growth of certain kinds of fruit depends more upon temperature and season than the mean annual temperature, as this is so often regulated or governed by local conditions. It is apparent, then, that the selection of localities for orchards must be made with a knowledge of the special conditions governing the distribution of temperature and other natural agencies contributing to the development of the various fruits to be grown. All things considered, Central Otago possesses certain conditions favourable to fruit production. Its adaptability to the growth of trees and perfection of fruit is owing to the possession of these certain conditions in moderation. Therefore wherever water can be procured for the purpose of irrigation, with good cultivation, good fruit of their several kinds can be grown in the valleys, on the plains, and at the foot of the hills of the mountain ranges. Thus good fruit can be grown in those places best suited to each particular kind. For instance, at the bottom of the foot-hills the prune plum can be grown; a little higher up, the grape, apricot, and nectarine; ana still higher up, the pear and apple. At Conroy's Gully

I noticed most excellent Grapes.

This did not surprise me. A dry air favours the action of light and heat, which is necessary for the ripening of the grape. The varieties of grape grown in European wine-growing countries have originated from Vitis vinefera. None of the varieties succeed where there is an excess of atmospheric humidity. It does not succeed even in many of the northern districts of New Zealand for the same reason. For a like reason it will not succeed in the eastern States of America; while in the State of California, where there were similar conditions to those which exist in the valley of the Clutha, the vine succeeds."

"I noticed about 4,000 acres of land suitable for fruitgrowing in the Alexandra and Clyde district, and a large area in the Cromwell district. In fact, wherever water can be obtained for irrigation purposes splendid fruit can be grown in any of these districts, and the climate is equally favourable for the drying of the fruit. There are at present about eight or nine growers of fruit in the neighbourhood of Alexandra who have about 42 to 45 acres planted. Mr. Noble not only cultivates fruit of a fine quality, but at his place I saw hops equal to the best Californian. At Mr. Dawson's, in the same district, I noticed Winter Nelis pears and

Grapes grown out of doors

equal in bunch and berry to anything that I have seen in the northern districts grown under glass. Not only could splendid fruit be grown in all these districts for drying, but also for canning. At Cromwell, Mr. M 'Cracken showed me apricots and nectarines bottled and put up equal to any put up in California. The best looked-after orchard that I saw in the Central Otago districts was Mr. Dawson's, at Conroy's Gully. It is kept in a high state of cultivation, and all his trees are producing very fine crops.

Ah Bon, a Chinaman,

at Butcher's Gully, has about nine acres planted with apples and mixed fruit trees. He was not at home when I called on him, but his land is irrigated and produces healthy fruit of the finest description. From Clyde I went to Cromwell, and from the township of Cromwell to the Lowburn district. A short distance from the Lowburn Hotel I visited several orchards, which were producing fruit of the very finest quality. From those orchards I went back to the ranges running along to the back of Lowburn. I think it is called the Dunstan Range. All the foot-hills of this range, for a considerable distance, are capable of producing fruit of the very best quality. From inquiries I made I found that a great deal of the

Country from Lowburn right away to Lake Wanaka is equally suitable for Fruitgrowing.

At Bannockburn there are many small patches of fruit trees planted by miners. Except for scale insects and codlin moth, the trees have done remarkably well, page 8 showing that wherever water can be obtained the land is capable of producin[unclear: g] fruit. From Cromwell I proceeded up to Arrowtown. There are a fe[unclear: w] orchards there which produce remarkably fine fruit. From there I went to [unclear: Qu] town, and on the following day visited the orchards in the neighbourhood of [unclear: Fra] and the surrounding districts, also Mr. Allan's (late Colonel Fraser's) at [unclear: Spea] Flat. Formerly a very large orchard existed here, but many of the trees hav[unclear: e] destroyed by scale insects. The present proprietor—a very wealthy man—[unclear: inten] renovate the few remaining trees and to plant extensively of the most suitabl[unclear: e] this present winter. In nearly all the districts surrounding Cromwell, extending and along the foot-hills of the Dunstan Range

A Wide Variety

of fruits can be grown, but the districts are more specially suited to the [unclear: gro] the peach, apricot, prune plum, and grape, the primary requirements fo[unclear: r] successful cultivation being a suitable soil, water for irrigation, a [unclear: mode] high temperature, and a dry atmosphere. The latter particularly is required drying the fruit quickly and for ripening the grape. Towards Queenstown th[unclear: e] and apricot succeed fairly well, and the pear, apple, and cherry do wel[unclear: l], climate, however, is not quite so dry as in the districts I have just referred [unclear: t], is, therefore, less favourable for the sun-drying of the various fruits."

In the course of the interview Mr. Blackmore also said: "I look upon the [unclear: Ce] Otago districts as districts that in the future will be a

Source of Considerable Wealth

—that is, if fruitgrowing is carried on on a large scale. It is almost an [unclear: impos] to over-produce such fruits as the peach, apricot, and prune plum for drying [unclear: pur] I have also no doubt that the grape will be grown most successfully in all the [unclear: dis] of Central Otago.

Mr. Blackmore, Government pomologist, in the course of a lecture in [unclear: H] Hall, Invercargill, as reported in

The Southland Daily News, Friday, April 27, 1894,

said: "The Californians had over 15,000,000 of fruit trees, besides 225,000 [unclear: ac] vines. In 1890 they supplied the wants of a quarter of a million of fruit-eating [unclear: p] and in addition, shipped

lbs.
Fresh fruits 87,277,430
Dried fruits 43,811,450
Raisins 28,860,920
Canned fruits 80,465,080

This in addition to making 17,000,000 gallons of wine. There was no country which the climatic conditions were so favourable or had, in proportion to its [unclear: s] large an area of land suited for the production of good apples as New Zealan[unclear: d], trees were early and abundant bearers, the fruit large, handsome, rich in [unclear: flaroz] of quality equal to anything that could be grown in any part of the world. Th[unclear: e] could be grown upon almost any soil—except peaty on the one hand and ver[unclear: y] clayey on the other—which allowed extension of the roots to a considerabl[unclear: e] the most suitable soil being a deep rich calcareous loam. Apple culture wa[unclear: s], fore, bound to become a source of wealth to this country, as the fruit could b[unclear: e] in so many ways—for home use, cider-making, drying by evaporators and [unclear: ex] If practicable apples should be picked on a moderately cool day and placed in [unclear: a] ately cool shed protected from the sun in which case they would not gather [unclear: mci] page 9 [unclear: ing] given some valuable hints as to the storage and packing of fruit, evaporation [unclear: nning], Mr. Blackmore said it might be

Asked if Fruitgrowing would pay;

[unclear: co]untry would not soon be over stocked with fruits? His reply was that th[unclear: e] were just beginning to learn the use of fruits and to appreciate their imp[unclear: ort]-Formerly fruit had been considered a luxury, but now it was considered an [unclear: peasable] article of food. To place fruit on every table would necessitate a large [unclear: sion] of the orchard area, and it was far too soon to apprehend an over sup[unclear: ply]. shipment of fruit to England and elsewhere was only in its infancy; the demand [unclear: pples] alone was practically unlimited. Then again various fruits could be dried, [unclear: rved] and prepared for various purposes, and enormous quantities of apples could [unclear: fitably] manufactured into cider. There was sent out of the Colony in 1892 fo[unclear: r] fruits £67,610 (of which £11,236 went direct to Tasmania principally [unclear: for]; for bottled and canned fruits £4,304. and for dried fruits £9,863. These [unclear: ns] did not include raisins and currants.